2010 Renault Clio Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first, second, third and fourth generation Renault Clio as a used buy.

Their success has taken some of the heat out of the troubles the brand has experienced trying to build local sales momentum. When the first limited run of 85 Clio Renault Sports arrived in 2001 they sold out quickly. It subsequently established itself as a highly desirable enthusiasts' car.The story is the same for the newest Clio Renault Sport 200. Dealers have already snapped up their allocations and queues are forming for the 100 expected to arrive over the next 12 months.Price and marketTwo versions are available, the $36,490 Sport 200 Cup and the $38,990 Sport 200 Cup Trophee, which replaces the R27. Renault Australia managing director, Rudi Koenig, says he expects the Trophee to make up the bulk of orders. Koenig admits that Renault has been doing it tough, particularly as it did not sell any vehicles last year to rental fleets.However, he says Australia is now getting better attention from France. "We have more focused support," he says. "The Sport 200 is an important car for the brand too. "It is important for our enthusiast base and as a halo for the brand."Drivetrain and equipmentThis halo car continues with a normally aspirated 2.0-litre four cylinder, developing 147kW at 7100 revs and 215Nm at 5400 revs, up 2kW over the old car. Renault does not feel the Clio needs turbocharging to beat its competition. It will still hit 100km/h in a respectable 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 225km/h.Both models have the appropriate go-fast bits, from rear diffuser, high-performance Continental tyres, flat underbody, 17-inch alloys, quicker steering ratio, powerful Brembo brakes and sports suspension. The front suspension is what Renault calls a ‘double axis’ strut set-up using aluminium components to shave 7.5kg off the suspension weight.The rear torsion beam has been firmed up 25 per cent and a thicker anti-roll bar fitted. Safety kit runs to eight airbags, switchable electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes and traction control. The Trophee has a hands-free ignition card, heated and folding rear view mirrors, Recaro sports seats, 17-inch BeBop alloys and carbon fibre highlights.DrivingAll the questions about the previous Clio Renault Sport have been answered. The previous 2.0-litre four was a great engine but didn't deliver its best until very high in the rev range. It was too peaky. The newest 2.0-litre is sweeter and more flexible, with a flat torque curve that still manages to deliver a considerable shove in the back when you bury your foot. Renault says that 95 per cent of the torque is produced at 3000 revs. That means plenty of urge is on tap exactly where you need it.The new six-speed manual is crisp and the first three ratios are shorter to provide better low-down response. Buyers also preferred the Cup chassis which is the standard now. They also said the interior was too spartan so now it's appropriately prestige with a touch of class absent in the previous models.Finally, a $1500 haircut off the entry price and $1000 off the Trophee, which replaces the R27, is also expected to win friends. Although our drive experience was restricted to a racetrack, not the most ideal road to assess a car, the Sport 200 remains true to its pedigree.You can throw it into a corner with confidence, even with the stability system disabled. There's no torque steer, and power gets to the ground without fuss. The brakes are almost ridiculously powerful for the size of the car, the steering sharp and the body control impressive. The breed has been strengthened and the driving experience enhanced.

Anyone with a burning desire to drive a go-kart with a roof and a radio, Renault has what you need.  It is a fix for something of a travesty - there are not enough people who have fun in cars any more.I'm not talking about back-seat work at the near-extinct drive-in, it's the joy of driving that has disappeared.  Sanitised to the point of blandness are many of the cars on the market today - cleaner, safer and better-equipped certainly - but what about the fun? Book yourself a track day and get into one of these.The sporty Clios have more than done their bit to reverse this trend and none more than the Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27.  It's the hard-core version of the Clio Renault Sport 197 - not exactly a demure shopping trolley - but with performance 7mm lower 'Cup Chassis’ suspension, charcoal alloy wheels, red brake calipers and Recaro sports-seats among the key extras.The seats drop the weight by 6kg and are the first thing you notice - particularly if you misjudge the entry, which is not a comfortable experience.  You'll appreciate the strong side bolsters if you test the car's mid-corner grip, but procreation might be put on hold for little while as well.DrivingThe 145kW/215Nm 2.0-litre engine fires up with a slight exhaust flutter that doesn't scream hot hatch, but the rest of the car - with rear diffuser, side vents, decals, alloys and Brembo brakes - does, so introverts need not apply.  The six-speed has a shorter throw than I remember from its sibling and the ride quality better than expected.Despite 37 per cent stiffer front and 30 per cent stiffer rear springs, and dampers that have been toughened up by 10 per cent, the ride is firm but not super-hard and jarring; I've driven harder-riding cars that don't corner like this one.The negative issues are few - in suburban traffic it’s the brakes, which are good when you're using a fair chunk of their capacity on a back-road run, can get grabby and a little difficult to apply smoothly in traffic.  Some of that may also be due to the close-set nature of the drilled-alloy pedals, which are better suited to the dainty-of-foot, not those of us with broad, size 13 feet.The engine is flexible and doesn't need to dwell in the top half of the tacho to make decent forward progress around town.  There's no turbo trickery either - just a naturally-aspirated two-litre engine producing 145kW and 215Nm and sending it to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.But find some corners and the 1221kg R27 totals much more than the numbers suggest - it barely needs to bother the Brembos in the way into a corner and only major bumps cause consternation from the inside front wheel on a full-throttle exit.  Twirling the sports leather-trimmed wheel through its 2.8 turns lock-to-lock is an amusing past-time, of that there is no question.The little brat of the Renault range just rips through corners and throws mini-tantrums until you find some more ... or perhaps the tantrums were coming from the driver.  There's ample information for the driver and the stability control is very relaxed, leaving the driver alone unless absolutely necessary.The driver has sound system controls behind the wheel which would be handy once accustomed to the functions, but there's plenty in the cabin that is a little French in its methodology.Other gear on the features list includes dual front, side and curtain airbags, climate control, cruise control, stability control and 17in wheels.  Only 40 R27s will be imported into Australia, which is a shame - more people should be enlightened as to how a front-wheel drive car can handle.